# astropy

Helps an agent write and debug Astropy code for astronomy data. Use it for coordinate transforms, FITS files, tables, and time calculations.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 1900 installs · ★ 54652
- Author: K-Dense-AI
- License: LicenseRef-BSD-3-Clause-license · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/astropy/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-19
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/astropy

## What it does

The skill guides an agent through Astropy tasks: converting celestial coordinates and physical units, reading and writing FITS files, working with tables, handling time scales, and mapping image pixels to world coordinates. It also covers cosmological calculations. This is agent guidance, not the Astropy package itself.

The stated requirements are Python 3.11+, Astropy 8.0.1, and NumPy 2+. SciPy is needed for cosmology, matching, and fitting. Some operations, such as resolving object names and reading FITS data remotely, depend on network access. Those operations will not run offline.

Install it with `npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a claude-code`. The skill file is placed at `~/.claude/skills/astropy/SKILL.md`.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/astropy/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/astropy/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/astropy/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/astropy/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills astropy
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/astropy/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --path skills/astropy
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/astropy/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills --skill astropy -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/astropy/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- transform coordinates between ICRS and Galactic
- convert a distance from parsecs to kilometers
- read an image or table from a FITS file
- match and filter entries in an astronomy catalog
- convert observation times between UTC, TAI, and TDB

## Example prompts
- Use Astropy to transform these coordinates from ICRS to Galactic.
- Read `catalog.fits` as a table and filter its rows by this condition.
- Convert the observation time from UTC to TDB and explain the calculation.

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From the same set: [k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/k-dense-ai/scientific-agent-skills.md) — 159 cards

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md